Page 83 of ColdIron
“My class has never had this much drama.” Instructor Greer sighed. “All right.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Let’s air it all out. Then we can move on.”
A cadet with pink-dyed hair stepped from the group. She thrust her manicured finger at me, jaw set for a fight. “I don’t like you either. Think you can just steal our men without consequence?”
Was sheCaspian’s or Nikolai’s fangirl?
“Seriously, cadets.” I rolled my eyes. “If he’s truly your man, nobody can steal him. And if your man left you for another woman? Take it up with him. Not the other woman. No cheater is worth fighting for.”
Some cadets snickered. Some nodded. Instructor Greer’s mouth curved. But a third of the class still glared at me. You couldn’t win everyone. A lesson in life. So don’t fucking bother.
“You won’t last.” Another woman stomped her foot.A brunette. Nice hair. “You can shake your big tits and spread your legs for Prince Caspian. But you’re just another conquest. He’ll dump you mercilessly after a night.”
So it was about last night. Half of them probably assumed I’d slept with him. I should’ve shoved his arm off my shoulder the second he draped it there for the entire club to see. One moment of weakness, and this was the bill. But then… I still had this weakness for all the heirs.
“One night is merciless?” I asked. “Then I’m looking forward to two nights. Or even three.” I tilted my head. “Prince Caspian is a ten. Anyone disagree?”
The yard went dead silent.
And I felt Aelindor before he stepped into the class.
31
MAX
Prince Aelindor walked into our class like he owned not just the land but the air above it. He’d leashed his power. Still, its signature prevailed like aged fine wine.
I wanted to take his scent into my lungs and hold it there. I wanted to lean into his presence, curl my toes, and purr. But in reality, my face flushed scarlet, and all I wanted was to dig a hole and die in it.
He’d heard everything. I was sure of it.
“I’m looking forward to two nights. Or even three. Prince Caspian is a ten.”
What kind of idiot said things like that? I bit my lip. I needed to explain. I was being sarcastic. He had to know that. But my low, flat voice made sarcasm sound like a sworn statement. No one ever got my humor. In the mine, my jokes always landed like wet rocks.
Instructor Greer bowed. “Your Highness.”
Every cadet snapped to attention and saluted.
I held myself rigid as his power pressed against myskin—warm, intimate, settling between my shoulder blades like a palm placed there by someone who knew exactly where you ached. The warmth sank deeper. Pooled in my chest, coiled low in my belly.
With Caspian, it was a jolt. With Nikolai, cool hunger. With Aelindor, a slow burn that started when he entered a room and didn’t stop until long after he’d left.
I wasn’t the only one affected. Around me, cadets leaned forward on their feet, pulled toward him involuntarily. None of them stood a chance, and they knew it. Cadets pined for Caspian, Drakken, and Nikolai, but no one dreamed about landing Prince Aelindor. He existed at a different altitude. Almost a god in this kingdom. And yet the pull was there, natural, biological, helpless. Even the male cadets gazed at the heir with something close to worship.
“At ease,” Aelindor said, nodding at the instructor.
His deep blue gaze found me. Then it tracked to the fireballs and ice shards still dancing on either side of me in their lazy orbit. An amused smile ghosted his lips.
“Looks like the training has been productive.”
I wasn’t going to rat out my fellow cadets. We’d be comrades on a battlefield one day. I’d rather build trust than collect enemies. These women weren’t Slade and Kevin. Petty, not murderous. I knew the difference.
“I can explain, Your Highness,” Instructor Greer started. Her face flushed. Even she wasn’t immune. I caught her fighting the urge to fan herself.
Aelindor flicked his wrist. The fire and ice snuffed out.Erased.
That Fae is very powerful,the demon chimed in, appreciative.
Aelindor raised two fingers to stop the instructor. His gaze never left me.
